SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING TEST PERFORMANCE. Why does it matter? Test performance not only...

SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING TEST PERFORMANCE

Why does it matter?• Test performance not only reflects how

much one studied in the hours and days right before the test but also how well the person has been studying throughout the semester

• There are a variety of study strategies you can use.▫Some you will like, some you will not! ▫Over the next two blocks, try to identify one

or two skills you would like to try to routinely incorporate into your study schedule.

What do you think?

•On the average, how many hours per week is it recommended that you study for each hour you spend in class?

A. 1 hourB. 2 hoursC. 3 hoursD. 4 hours

There is no right answer to this question; however, it is generally recommended that you spend 2 - 3 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class.

How many hours is it recommended for you to study per week for a 3 credit class? (hint: you spend about 2 ½ hours in each class every week).

Obviously, some classes will be more difficult than others.

Some classes will require more of your

time!!!

Answer: 5 to 7 1/2 hours outside of class studying each week.

What are study skills?

•Study activities include:• reading the textbook• doing homework assignments• reviewing notes• studying for tests and quizzes.

Which activities work for you? Rank these skills from 1 to 4 (1 being the one you prefer the most).

Testing Success Factor

•Create a list of factors that help you perform well.

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance1. Taking good notes2. Reviewing notes after each class3. Using SQ3R4. Getting control of your time5. Beginning to prepare for specific tests

a week in advance6. Incorporating self-testing into your

study schedule7. Practicing good test taking strategies

Being Prepared

•Do your assignments on time •Take good notes

▫Why is taking good notes a success factor for tests?

▫What should your notes include for effective studying?

•Know what material to study

Being Prepared cont.

•Know what kind of test will be given▫Types of Tests

Objective▫Multiple choice, True-false, Matching & Fill in the

blank Subjective

▫Short answer & Essay Performance

▫Hands-on & Project

•Optimize your health

Avoid Cramming

•Memorizing versus Cramming

Cramming – refers to trying to memorize a lot of information in a very short period of time.

Memorizing – trying to commit information to memory by rote or mechanical repetition

Avoid Cramming cont. ▫Level 1

Shortest short-term memory (5-8 seconds)▫Level 2

Cramming or memorization level Two key factors – time and repetition

▫Level 3 Effective recall level

Recall or remembered studied information

▫Level 4 Background knowledge – information that is

permanently stored

Learning Actively

•Create an effective learning environment•Find a study buddy•Have a study order•Plan your study time & breaks •Remember to use memory devices

Memory Devices

•Acronyms •Mnemonic Sentences, Rhymes or Jingles•Try Linking Ideas•Try Visualization

Learning from your mistakes

•Review Returned Tests•Figure out what worked and what didn’t•Be honest with yourself•Ask for help

What strategy do you use for taking notes in your classes?

A. Write everything the teacher saysB. Write notes in an outline formC. Write notes in a modified outline formD. Copy everything appearing on overheads

•It's not possible to write everything the teacher says!▫We speak at the rate of 150 - 200 words

per minute and can write only about 25 words per minute!

•While it may be useful to copy everything on overheads, those are probably only the main ideas and additional information will be needed as one studies for the test

Why is it important to review your notes?

SQ3R: A READING STUDY SYSTEM

• SURVEY▫ Read the chapter title, introduction, learning objectives,

summary and end of chapter questions. ▫ Also review bold face headings and subheadings, graphics, and

italics throughout the chapter. ▫ This will provide an overview of the chapter and create a

mental framework for understanding the chapter more thoroughly as you read.

• QUESTION▫ Prior to reading each section, turn each heading into one or

more questions. ▫ It will be helpful if you write your questions down so you can

refer to them as you move through this process. ▫ This step helps one's mind engage and concentrate and creates

and active learning environment.▫ What questions do you think that you should be able to answer

at the end of the chapter?

SQ3R: A READING STUDY SYSTEM

• READ▫ As you read each section, look for answers to your questions. ▫ This fills in the information around the mental framework you have created in

the previous steps. • RECITE

▫ After you have finished reading a section and before moving on to the next section of the chapter, go back to your questions to see if you can answer them. If you can't, you may have missed the main ideas in that section and may want to read it

again. If you can answer them, you're ready to move on to the next section, repeating the

question, read and recite process for the new section of the chapter.

• REVIEW▫ This is the final step in your reading session. ▫ Again, review your questions too see if you can answer them. ▫ This step helps to refine your mental organization and begin to build your

memory and understanding of the material. ▫ Following this model as your read chapters is likely to reduce the amount of

time you will need to spend studying the chapters the week before the test because you have already begun to learn the material as you move through this process.

How can you get control of your time?

•Planning•Scheduling•Keeping an agenda

•What else do you do to take control of your time?

When do you start studying for your tests?

A. The first day of class or the first day after a testB. Two weeks before a testC. A week before a testD. Two days before a testE. The night before a test

Practicing good test taking strategies

• While you may not actually label what you are doing as studying for a test until a few days or a week before the test, everything you do from the first day of class or the first day after a test is helping you prepare for the next test.

• Ways to Study:• class participation• note taking• reviewing notes• completing homework

assignments• reading the textbook• reviewing notes and

assignments

• Can you help us think of any more?

Lets see what you remember!Can you name all 7 strategies for improving Test Performance?

SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING TEST PERFORMANCE. Why does it matter? Test performance not only...

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